SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MENNO VERSTEEG – WHY WE RUN

MENNO VERSTEEG
WHY WE RUN
ROYAL MOUNTAIN RECORDS

Menno Versteeg has plenty to be proud of. The Hollerado co-founder and front man, who also performs and records with Anyway Gang, has previously released music under the pseudonym Mav Karlo. Why We Run marks the first time that he has released music under his own name. The music in question is a varied collection and it is simply outstanding.

The fact that Versteeg had not released work under his own name until now is interesting, as he is 20+ years into his career. But with Hollerado officially disbanded, the artist is free to follow his heart into whatever projects might interest him. The timing is certainly right.

Why We Run is a world of stylistically diverse music, where stripped-down acoustic folk, gospel/soul, country, sing-along pop and old school rock and roll all live in peace and harmony. Versteeg’s voice and songwriting are the common threads, tying it all together.

Things start off simply, with the charmingly philosophical “Videostore”, in which Versteeg looks back wistfully at his youth. Sweetly expressed, to guitar and fiddle accompaniment, the artist draws the listener in, right from the start. But you should not get used to the folkie groove of “Videostore”. It gives way to the gospel changes of “Don’t Look Away”, a song which starts simply, but gradually builds to a full-blown southern soul production. Such is the nature of this album: Versteeg and company keep mixing it up, keeping listeners engaged and entertained.

There are so many melodic, thoughtful, and humorous moments on Why We Run, and it is interesting to hear Versteeg’s influences come through. With hints of John Prine, Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon and The Band, and more, it all gets distilled into the Menno sound, and it all belongs here. Production-wise, Why We Run brings to mind the work of producers such as Daniel Lanois or T-Bone Burnett, where there is an overall plan for the project’s sound, and the creativity and musicianship truly shine through.

As Menno Versteeg pursues this phase of his career, we can simply wish him well. With Why We Run, he is off to a great start.

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